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UNCF

Documenting the Movement for Educational Equity

In partnership with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), C&I Studios had the privilege of providing full photographic coverage for a landmark seminar dedicated to education, empowerment, and equity.

Our role extended beyond documentation. We worked to capture the essence of the seminar—the urgency of the conversation, the unity in the room, and the drive toward lasting impact. Each frame tells the story of a living dialogue. A gathering of minds and hearts committed to shaping the future through knowledge and collaboration. And every moment carried the weight of purpose and the energy of change.

INDUSTRY
SERVICES

UNCF

Documenting the Movement for Educational Equity

In partnership with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), C&I Studios had the privilege of providing full photographic coverage for a landmark seminar dedicated to education, empowerment, and equity.

Our role extended beyond documentation. We worked to capture the essence of the seminar—the urgency of the conversation, the unity in the room, and the drive toward lasting impact. Each frame tells the story of a living dialogue. A gathering of minds and hearts committed to shaping the future through knowledge and collaboration. And every moment carried the weight of purpose and the energy of change.

INDUSTRY
SERVICES
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Group of 3 female attendees posing for a selfie taken on a tablet device at a UNCF seminar
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Group of attendees posing for a selfie at a UNCF seminar.
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Turn Your Event Into a Lasting Statement

Some events leave more than an impression—they leave a legacy. When your seminar, summit, or panel carries purpose, it deserves to be documented with care, clarity, and intention.

We specialize in capturing the energy, emotion, and impact of meaningful gatherings. Let’s make sure your next event lives on—in images that speak just as powerfully as the day itself. Reach out to us for professional event photography that lasts.

Turn Your Event Into a Lasting Statement

Some events leave more than an impression—they leave a legacy. When your seminar, summit, or panel carries purpose, it deserves to be documented with care, clarity, and intention.

We specialize in capturing the energy, emotion, and impact of meaningful gatherings. Let’s make sure your next event lives on—in images that speak just as powerfully as the day itself. Reach out to us for professional event photography that lasts.

Hispanic Heritage Awards

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Hispanic Heritage Awards

Celebrating Culture, Legacy, and Leadership Through Photography

The Hispanic Heritage Awards stand as one of the nation’s most prestigious celebrations of Latin culture, honoring influential leaders, artists, and innovators who have made lasting contributions to their communities and industries. This year’s ceremony was a vibrant tribute to excellence, identity, and legacy—and we were honored to be on the ground capturing every unforgettable moment.

 

From the elegant energy of the red carpet to the heartfelt tributes delivered onstage, our team was tasked with delivering high-impact event photography that not only documented the evening but celebrated it in visual form. With a guest list that included luminaries like Zoe Saldaña, the atmosphere was as inspiring as it was electric. Our work covered all facets of the event, from candid behind-the-scenes moments to posed portraits and sweeping crowd shots that reflect the full scale of the occasion.

INDUSTRY
SERVICES

Hispanic Heritage Awards

Celebrating Culture, Legacy, and Leadership Through Photography

The Hispanic Heritage Awards stand as one of the nation’s most prestigious celebrations of Latin culture, honoring influential leaders, artists, and innovators who have made lasting contributions to their communities and industries. This year’s ceremony was a vibrant tribute to excellence, identity, and legacy—and we were honored to be on the ground capturing every unforgettable moment.

 

From the elegant energy of the red carpet to the heartfelt tributes delivered onstage, our team was tasked with delivering high-impact event photography that not only documented the evening but celebrated it in visual form. With a guest list that included luminaries like Zoe Saldaña, the atmosphere was as inspiring as it was electric. Our work covered all facets of the event, from candid behind-the-scenes moments to posed portraits and sweeping crowd shots that reflect the full scale of the occasion.

INDUSTRY
SERVICES
Hispanic Heritage Awards
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Capturing the Red Carpet at the Hispanic Heritage Awards

The red carpet portion of the Hispanic Heritage Awards is a spectacle in its own right. With a backdrop of flashing lights, fashionable statements, and cultural pride, this segment set the tone for the entire evening. Our team was stationed to capture standout moments with elegance and precision. Our red carpet images captured the essence of her style and stature, alongside other iconic guests and honorees.

 

Each frame was composed to honor the significance of the event while providing timeless visuals that reflect the glamour and gravity of the evening. Photographing the red carpet at an event of this caliber demands technical skill, fast reflexes, and an eye for authenticity. We balanced polished shots with candid interactions to create a visual narrative that feels immersive and alive.

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Bring Your Event Into Focus

Major events like the Hispanic Heritage Awards require more than basic documentation—they require thoughtful storytelling. Professional photography ensures that the energy, emotion, and elegance of a moment are preserved for the future. For public-facing events with celebrity guests like Zoe Saldaña, quality imagery becomes essential not just for archival purposes, but also for media, marketing, and press coverage.

Our approach combines journalistic awareness with artistic execution. Every shot is intentional. Every angle is considered. And every story—whether told in a single image or a full gallery—resonates with meaning. Contact us today and let’s work together on your next high-profile event.

76 Words -Maria McLaughlin

Orange and white 76 Words Logo

Maria McLaughlin

Maria McLaughlin Supreme Court Justice Campaign

We were hired by 76 Words, a renowned political media strategy firm, to produce a powerful two-part video series for Maria McLaughlin’s campaign for Supreme Court Justice — designed to engage and inspire voters. The first video would include a heartfelt testimonial-style piece featuring a diverse group of supporters sharing why they believe in Maria’s vision and leadership. The second video, a direct-to-camera, personal message from Maria McLaughlin, where she shares her motivations, values, and plans — putting her passion and commitment front and center.

INDUSTRY
SERVICES

Maria McLaughlin Supreme Court Justice Campaign

We were hired by 76 Words, a renowned political media strategy firm, to produce a powerful two-part video series for Maria McLaughlin’s campaign for Supreme Court Justice — designed to engage and inspire voters. The first video would include a heartfelt testimonial-style piece featuring a diverse group of supporters sharing why they believe in Maria’s vision and leadership. The second video, a direct-to-camera, personal message from Maria McLaughlin, where she shares her motivations, values, and plans — putting her passion and commitment front and center.

INDUSTRY
SERVICES
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Comprehensive Video Production Process

We executed a full-service, on-location shoot with a professional multi-camera setup, ensuring both dynamic, engaging visuals and crystal-clear audio. Our crew managed everything from lighting and sound design to directing talent, capturing a range of powerful moments — from intimate testimonials to Maria’s candid, heartfelt delivery.

We collaborated closely with 76 Words and the campaign team to develop a compelling narrative. This included crafting persuasive messaging, selecting on-brand visual styles, and coordinating a diverse lineup of authentic, passionate supporters to appear on camera. Every detail was designed to ensure the videos aligned seamlessly with the campaign’s broader strategy.

76 words Maria Mclaughlin CIS Stills 21 scaled
Older man and woman standing in front of house
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Elderly man with white beard posing for the camera wearing a dark blue shirt with patterns
Headshot of woman with long blond hair wearing a white top and jeans talking to the camera
Woman smiling wearing dark blue jacket holding boy with a colorful patterned coat who is waving
Side profile of two mean with short beards looking on smiling

Ian Bravo

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Ian Bravo

The educational sector produces leaders, inventors, and thinkers whose ideas improve and drive the society. Despite education’s propensity to generate outstanding people, the industry as a whole has stayed mostly unchanged—until now.

 

With millennials changing the way we live, there has been a progressive shift in training or coaching methodologies. The traditional educational paradigm has shifted from one in which students are taught by teachers in classrooms to one that incorporates technology and co-working areas.

 

Consider the classrooms you attended as a student. Perhaps you recall sitting and observing as the teacher performed the majority of the talking, or perhaps you and your classmates were given problem-solving assignments to do. Perhaps your assessments consisted entirely of rote memorization of previously taught material, or perhaps you maintained a portfolio of your work that your teacher evaluated with one-on-one feedback. Learning environments differ from one classroom to the next and from one context to the next. Good old memories aren’t they?

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Man talking to others sitting at a table
Headshot of man with short hair and beard wearing a white shirt talking to the camera
Female African American teacher in a classroom talking to students
Headshot of girl wearing a blue t shirt talking to camera
Child wearing white top and gray shorts sitting on a chair in the middle of a room
Bald woman wearing colorful top
African American girl wearing dreadlocks as well as orange bandana and sweatshirt
Male teacher wearing a blue mask in a classroom

Meet Ian Bravo

Well, meet Ian Bravo. Ian started this remarkable company called “All pod”, and basically its a service that allows teachers to work wherever they can rent a space, work remotely, and with other teachers as well.

 

Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower,” Steve Jobs said. And well, Ian Bravo is most certainly a leader, as his wonderful idea makes it so much easier for teachers to do what they love, and impact knowledge on the leaders of tomorrow.

 

Thanks to Ian’s company, every day, hosts provide one-of-a-kind stays and one-of-a-kind experiences that allow visitors(teachers in this case) to have a more genuine and connected experience towards impacting knowledge. And the students in a knowledge-centered environments such as this, are encouraged to learn information thoroughly so that they can apply it in new circumstances and contexts.

Side profile of an African American boy with a blue pencil in his mouth
Group of students in a classroom and staff all wearing masks
Side profile of girl wearing a gray top using a red marker to make a poster using a tablet as a guide
Two boys doing homework in a classroom
Closeup of backpacks hanging from the back of chairs
Four kids playing on a slide on a playground
African American boy showing a project to a class
African American girl smiling and holding a Completion Certificate
African American girl on a swing in the air smiling

Every Story Matters

At C&I, we understand that the stories we share bind us all together. And we were more than glad to capture and tell Ian’s story in the most amazing way possible. Our ability to harness the power of imagination is greater than ever thanks to technological advancements. We can create worlds not just with words or photos, or a combination of the two, but with much more.

 

And we enjoyed being part of Ian’s story; every single bit of it!

African American male wearing a bird patterned shirt using a tablet in a classroom
Two African American girls with braids and wearing surgeon masks facing each other in a classroom
Girl doing a video call in a classroom
African American woman wearing a dress suit talking with man with short beard and hair wearing a white shirt and gray backpack
Teacher talking to two boys in a classroom
Students in a classroom writing at a table with a TV display hanging on the wall
Side profile of girl doing a presentation for the class with another woman looking on
Woman with long brown hair wearing a black and white top cheering with arms up
Woman with glasses and talking seen on a TV display hanging on the wall

The video production services we rendered for Ian, meant so much to us, and it eventually grew into something much bigger. We were more than glad to be part of Ian’s dream. Ian Bravo is an extremely nice and super creative individual, so it was really nice getting to know him, and working with him. We adore our profession, and the fact that we get to do what we love, creating commercials and helping people showcase their dreams and ideas to the world every day is incredible. This project took about three to four days at various locations in fort Lauderdale and Miami. We had one-on-one moments with the teachers and students, and being able to assist Ian in promoting and marketing All pod wasn’t just what made it special, getting the broll of the kids on the playground was the best part and seeing the smiles on their faces made it all worthwhile. It was truly amazing!

Reach Out And Play

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Reach Out And Play

A Video Game Live Stream Fundraiser

Reach Out And Play got its start way back in 2014 during the holiday season. We invited the Fort Lauderdale community to the studio for a 12-hour live stream party to help raise money for the three featured organizations that C&I Reach supports on a monthly basis: Flutemaker Ministries, Jedidiah Learning Steps, and Watchmen on the Walls Ministries.

 

We brought the live stream back to life in March 2020 in an effort to help raise money for small local businesses that have been adversely impacted by the novel coronavirus. Every Friday for eight weeks, we invited local business owners to the studio to compete against our team for bragging rights and to encourage philanthropic giving amongst our audiences on Twitch, Youtube, and Instagram.

 

To reach a modern audience, we rebranded Reach Out And Play with new graphics and video advertising. In everything we do, we aim for the highest quality. We never settle for mediocre, so it was only right that we broke out our best production gear to create a live stream of expert quality, consistency, and clarity.

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Reach Out And Play Logo Creation

Since ROAP was created way back in 2014, we needed to rebrand the fundraising initiative to reach a contemporary audience. First, we designed the logo.

 

The importance of a catchy and memorable logo cannot be overstated. Since our logo served as both brand representation and recognition, and also acted as an engaging cover for cut-scenes, we wanted to create something that was active and recognizable (to both avid and passive gamers).

 

After multiple sketches, we created a series of iconic video gaming identities that our audience would immediately connect with. Taking this a step further, we animated the logo to make it all the more exciting.

 

The animated logo is perhaps the most important asset. It is used during cutscenes to keep our audience engaged in the live stream while connecting the various platforms we stream from (Youtube, Instagram, Twitch, and Web).

Closeup of hands holding a video game console with Tetris 99 game title screen loading
White Reach Out and Play Logo with star graphic
White Reach Out and Play Logo with monster graphic
White Reach Out and Play Logo with bomb graphic
White Reach Out and Play Logo with mouse graphic
White Reach Out and Play Logo with rabbit graphic

Community is everything

Reach Out And Play was not solely a fundraiser. Yes, we started ROAP to support local business owners, but it also created to entertain our peers at a time when we could all use a bit of company.

 

With the assertion of social distancing and self-quarantining, we felt it was important to give our audience something to look forward to — something that would enable them to communicate with like-minded individuals in a fun and safe space.

 

We make every effort to involve our community in our work one way or another, so this was a no-brainer. To fully deliver on the entertainment component, we amped up our video game challenges with risk and reward.

 

For instance, when Greg Young from Nobleman’s Cut & Shave joined us for ROAP, he played the most advanced version of Tetris, competing again real online players for donations. And when our team members, Marc Joseph and Joseph Miller, went head-to-head in NBA Jam, the loser (in this case, both of them) had to eat spicy jalapeno and habanero peppers! And when we invited Richard Charlemon from Reyna Group Home to the live stream, we played drunken Mario Kart, because we could all learn a valuable lesson from drinking and driving (i.e., don’t do it!).

Four men playing with video game consoles and watching a video game in session with two glasses of beer on the table in front of them
Three men playing and watching a video game in session with one bearded African American man wearing light blue cap backwards and white t shirt
Four men playing with video game consoles and watching a video game in session
Man wearing shades with brown colored cap on table near him and woman wearing glasses and fizzy hair sitting next to him looking at him at the table with shades and two white boxes near her
Closeup of hands holding a video gaming console with Tetris game loaded
Tattooed man wearing red cap, black shirt and white mask using video game controller wearing white latex gloves
Three men and a woman at a table with one man holding a video game controller and the woman holding a video gaming console with two shades and white boxes nearby
Closeup of hands holding a video game controller with tv in background
Woman with fizzy hair wearing glasses using a video game controller and responding to a video game that is being played
Man with goatee wearing shades with brown colored cap on table near him and woman wearing glasses and fizzy hair sitting next to him at the table with shades and two white boxes near her
Reach Out and Play icon with background showing two masked men talking about hot peppers with video game controllers in front of them
Four men with two wearing black caps using video game controllers playing a video game
Joshua wearing black t shirt and gray cap talking and gesturing to something behind him
Joshua and another man standing by kid bikes
Joshua and another man racing each other on kid bikes

Hollywood Community Housing

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Hollywood Community Housing Corporation

TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES | TRANSFORMING LIVES

Hollywood Community Housing Corporation is solving the Los Angeles housing crisis by providing communities with affordable housing, enrichment opportunities, and supportive services.

Perspective is the root to their success in tackling this crisis. Rather than look at communities and decide their needs they look to communities for guidance. They don’t make assumptions. They speak to the people, learn their hardships and their greatest needs, then deliver the means for them to overcome their greatest obstacles.

 

We believe that outreach that provides people the tools and insights to create change for themselves produce the greatest results. We appreciate everything that Hollywood Community Housing Corporation is doing for the city of Los Angeles. When they came to us to create their company branding video — to showcase their mission, ideology, and promise for the future — we were all in!

 

A major focus of the video is explaining how their organization works for the people of L.A. By showing how their leadership works alongside those who are vulnerable, yet driven to improve their lives and their communities, we created a video that is equal parts community, results-driven, uplifting, and optimistic. It is a showcase of their passion, determination, legacy, and vision… and that carries immense weight.

Closeup of a man with a goatee talking with a woman with another woman in the background
Side profile of a group of five men and two women at a ground breaking event
Boy posing for camera holding a cartoon book next to shelf with other books
Closeup of child hands holding a stack of books on a wooden table
Aerial view of housing in a city
Man in a suit with pink tie talking
Man, woman and two boys by an apartment complex
Woman putting books on table for a little girl sitting there

Hollywood Community Housing Marketing Booklet

Our company profile video conditions viewers to invest in the HCH mission.

Brand storytelling is effective because it is emotional (and humans are creatures of emotion).

 

The effectiveness of our marketing booklet was dependent on the impact of our company profile video, which is featured on the homepage of the Hollywood Community Housing website. This video is the showcase and comprehensive overview of their mission. But it is not rigid, boring, or stuffy. It focuses on people, positive change, progress, and a selfless determination to empower those in hard times. These messages resonate with a lot of people, but especially with Hollywood Community Housing’s target demographics.

 

To generate the best results, we were created a marketing booklet to be distributed alongside the premier of Hollywood Community Housing’s company video. The marketing booklet shows a different side of the same mission. It gets into the numbers and the facts, informing our audience of the crisis, the longterm downside if it doesn’t get solved, and the strides that HCH is making to change Los Angele’s housing landscape.

 

Hover over the image to the left and click the button to open Hollywood Community Housing’s marketing brochure and invest in their mission.

Jedidiah Learning Steps

White Jedidiah Learning Steps logo
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Jedidiah Learning Steps Video Documentary

Jedidiah Learning Steps is a nonprofit school on the outskirts of Lusaka, Zambia that offers children and teens free schooling and educational services. Their vision for united and prosperous Zambia begins with the children. They trust in the power of knowledge and have pledged to instill likeminded respect for schooling in their students. Jedidiah Learning Steps was started by Sifelani Mwale in 2010. At first, her school had 25 students. It has since grown to well over 300 students! They are in the process of building a fully functioning school building to give the children more comfort and space to grow.

 

We filmed the following video documentary for Jedidiah Learning Steps through our 501c(3) nonprofit organization, C&I Reach. We wanted to shed light on their ongoing mission and inform viewers about life in Zambia. We filmed this video documentary during our first trip to Jedidiah Learning Steps so it plays much like an origin story. Being there, getting to know and experience life in Zambia firsthand, added a lot of authenticity and accuracy to our documentary.

 

We used this video documentary production to help Jedidiah Learning Steps market their brand. To succeed they need to attract the global spotlight. This video is a great start in achieving just that. If you’d like to help Jedidiah Learning Steps build their brand new school, please visit our website and donate.

Group of African American children in a classroom
Group of African American children standing in line
View of many children and adults
Two African American boys playing bongo drums in front of a lot of children and adults
Two African American boys and a girl in a classroom with a teacher showing them something on a computer
Group of African American children sitting in chairs posing for the camera

Flutemaker Ministries

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Flutemaker Ministries Documentary

Flutemaker Ministries is a nonprofit organization based in Nicaragua. They were founded in 2013 with a mission to provide families and children of Nicaragua a life beyond necessity through humanitarian work that teaches craftsmanship, agriculture, and life skills. Their work has helped lift communities out of poverty. They have created the framework of a self-sustaining community in which the citizens work together to help each other and create remarkable opportunities for future generations.

 

Through our 501c(3) nonprofit organization C&I Reach, we filmed the following documentary for Flutemaker Ministries, which explains their origin story and how they are building a promising future through independence and hard work. The documentary film introduces the organization by providing background on one of the original founders, Pastor Carlos. From there, we take the viewer on an adventure through the Nicaraguan countryside, showing how one small organization with outstanding purpose has changed the lives of so many by giving them the tools to govern their lives.

 

We produced this documentary free of charge to empower Flutemaker Ministries to share their story with the world. Through marketing and awareness, we aim to point a spotlight on this small corner of the world so that even more people volunteer and donate to their ongoing mission.

The Bag Maker

Flutemaker Ministries holds that craftsmanship is the path to independence. By teaching practical trade skills, they empower the citizens in their community to shape their place in society. This is a major theme of Flutemaker Ministries’ work in Nicaragua. We wanted to pay tribute to this practical philosophy with a thematic short that plays off their documentary video.

 

This short video functions as a trailer of sorts. The moody, slow-motion style captures the viewer’s attention. The drama of the scene plays on their emotions. The vintage appeal keeps them attentive. All of these sensations make the viewer want to learn more about the organization. We found that this segue increased viewership and user engagement, which, ultimately, was integral to the success of the overall marketing campaign.

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The YMCA

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The YMCA

The YMCA has 11 locations throughout Miami-Dade and Broward County. They are expected to open two brand new locations along North Federal Highway and Sistrunk Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. From 2017, we handled all of The YMCA’s marketing needs, from strategy, content creation, print and digital distribution, and tracking. Given the scope of The YMCA’s influence in South Florida, they required a full-service package. We provided Video Production, Professional Photography, Graphic Design, Copywriting, Web Development, and Advertising services. All of these were necessary for the launch of 4 annual campaigns: Summer Camp, Healthy Kids Day, Fall Campaign, and Winter Campaign. Each campaign was supported by a unique menu of collateral curated for specific purposes, such as to boost online enrollment or adult memberships at YMCA family centers.

 

Following the success of our YMCA campaigns in 2017 and 2018, the YMCA marketing team hired us to brand, develop and launch a brand new center in downtown Miami. This facility was targeted exclusively at young professionals in the area. This campaign was different than anything we provided the YMCA of South Florida and, therefore, required a new stylistic approach in order to differentiate the new facility from the family centers.

 

For the sake of this case study — given the expansive array of marketing materials provided for the YMCA over the years — we will focus exclusively on our 2018 Winter Campaign.

Phases 1 & 2

PHASE 1

Each campaign started with a Case For Business. This was a proposal for marketing direction, outlining budget, timeline, and forecasts. Included were campaign themes, taglines, sample copy, and content direction focused on each of the YMCA’s lead programs: After School Care, Aquatics, Youth Sports, and Health & Wellness. The style guide, complete with web and mobile samples, dictated the upcoming phases of marketing, especially photography, video production, and graphic design.

 

PHASE 2

Following approval of the Case For Business, we gathered media to be used across all platforms. Photography and Video production led the charge. Photography was pivotal in the creation of all assets associated with the campaign. Both the website, print and digital ads relied on quality photography. Each campaign had various focus areas. For the Winter 2018 campaign, we focused on boosting family membership and individual enrollment. Since we were targeting two different demographics we had to cater stylistic elements to appeal to these consumers. For family membership, we employed bright colors, open spaces, and family activities. This was essentially a tour of the best parts of the YMCA facility from a family’s perspective. Conversely, for individual memberships (which predominantly targeted at young professionals) we used a more dominant color palette and included group shots to motivate consumers to enroll immediately.

Side profile of a man using exercise ropes on a green turf with more exercising in the background
Logo Version B
Logo Version A
Color Palettes
Visual Assets Area of Focus General Wellness
Digital Collateral Preview of Pop Up Ad and Social Ad
Print Collateral Previews of Mailer and Program Guide
An African American man holding the door to the YMCA to open surrounded by two women posing for the camera
Two women doing stretches on mats on a green turf looking at each other and smiling with water bottles between them
View looking up at a man lifting weights
Overhead view of a woman climbing an exercise ladder with another woman cheering her on with both smiling
Group of women exercising in an exercise room with mats and weights
Exercise trainer helping a woman with a kettle ball with another woman doing stretches and a man using kettle balls in a gym
An African American man and a woman posing for the camera smiling outside the gym
African American Man with two women exiting a YMCA building smiling and posing for the camera
Side profile of a woman with long black hair lifting a kettle ball with a man holding a weighted ball in the background
Woman climbing an exercise ladder while another looks on in a gym

AQUATICS

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AFTER-SCHOOL CARE

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YOUTH SPORTS

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

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The YMCA of South Florida MacMac home page screenshot
YMCA Main Landing screenshot
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Phase 3

Once media was created we were able to design marketing assets to be used online and via print. We covered all the bases: Dedicated Landing Pages, Facebook Banner Ads, Google Display Ads, Web Pop-up Ads, Email Templates, Fence Banners, Direct Mailers, Billboards, Palm Cards, Program Guides, et cetera. Each campaign employed unique color palettes to differentiate the seasons and show the transition from the old campaign offer to the new one.

 

Our comprehensive marekting strategy ensured The YMCA would convert warm leads into sales, and generate increased interest amongst cold leads both online and in-person. By presenting the value prop in various ways, while offering various enrollment benefits, we appealed to a large swatch of consumers who prioritize different values in their spending habits. Additionally, we targeted these audience on the online platforms where they are most active, for instance, Facebook and Google. This kept our marketing collateral front and center throughout the entire enrollment campaign.

 

What made our marketing strategy so effective, was the way these materials came together to make one cohesive sales pitch. Certain collateral focused on particular incentives while other collateral targeted particular demographics. By appealing to a larger group of consumers (who we knew would bre receptive to our messaging) while also diversifying the value proposition, we increased enrollment at both YMCA family centers and thier newest Miami Downtown Fitness Center season after season.

 

Here a few examples of our work.

YMCA WINTER DM THROUGH JAN FINAL 2 YMCA Promo
Woman doing stretches in background
Woman doing stretches in background
YMCA Winter Billboard Black
YMCA WINTER DM THROUGH JAN FINAL
The Y Kid gray leggings, light blue top and blue shoes on display
The Y Kid gray water bottle, black top, a kettleball, and phone with earbuds on display
The Y Kid black shorts, pink top, blue shoes, and soccer ball on display
The Y Kid black Heat basketball top, water bottle, shoes and basketball on display

Handy

Handy logo large white text and red and blue graphic

The Brand

Handy is a non-profit organization in Broward County that empowers disadvantaged youth through mentorship, academic support, life skills training, food, housing, clothing and more. Their mission is to provide every child in need a personalized program to help them excel from childhood into early adulthood.

 

Handy was founded in 1985. When they came to us, their entire brand was in need of an overhaul. Their consumer-facing image was extremely outdated and they were not engaging potential donors effectively. We were hired to redesign their branding to give their organization a more contemporary and active personality. This was no small task. Every department in our agency had to collaborate to get the job done. From branding and graphic design to professional photography and video production, through to web development, marketing and distribution.

 

Our overall marketing and branding strategy was to capture the side of Handy only those close to the curriculum would know. So, we decided to create a brand narrative that cycled between various perspectives in order to paint Handy’s story through the experiences of those in the program. This approach decided a lot of the stylistic components.

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Stat concerning tutoring improvement

Branding

This was the first step in transforming Handy. Their former logo [the image shown to the right] was stale and unimpressive. As was their original Handy acronym: Helping Abused, Neglected, Disadvantaged Youth. This both upset the mentor staff and children in Handy’s care as it did not properly represent what the organization stood for, nor the ability and power possessed by Handy youth. We needed to change that. Our graphic design team wanted to associate Handy with unity, love, and friendship. They refused to allow these emotes to stand alone, so they got to work on creating an icon that would denote all of these feelings. One of the challenges we faced in this early stage was creating a symbol that clearly represented Handy and their ongoing mission without being too busy or cluttered. In the end, we designed a logo that spoke to all of Handy’s core values.

Handy Nonprofit Organization logo Helping Abused Neglected Disadvantaged Youth
Handy logo large gray text and red and blue graphic
Handy Acronym with logo with African American man in the background looking off to the distance
Handy Brand Guidelines Color graphics with code specs
Handy Brand Guidelines Typeface specs
Handy Brand Guidelines Graphic of Handy logo with creation instructions
Handy Brand Guidelines Graphic of Handy logos with creation instructions
Handy Brand Guidelines Graphic of Handy icons with instructions

The Website

Following our complete branding overhaul, we moved into the web development phase. Handy’s former site was outdated. They were not converting donors, engaging volunteers, nor representing their mission effectively. We designed and developed a massive 21-page website to both cover the core areas of the organization (from the mission, history, life skills programs, events, and more) and generate maximum conversions. The homepage is clean and informative. Along the right-hand side is a sticky tab with a call to action to “Donate” that follows users as they navigate the page. It is noninvasive but prevalent enough to encourage first time and recurring donorship.

 

The newly redesigned website was perhaps the most integral piece in Handy’s complete brand overhaul. It created living space for all assets produced for their brand, acting as a home base to connect Handy youth with donors, volunteers, mentors, alumni and community at large. From the website, you can navigate the entire history of Handy, accessing social media, reports, infographics, and more with a simple click of the mouse.

Stat concerning school attendance.

Multimedia

Once brand guidelines were developed, we needed to create an abundance of media to assist in launching their new site and gaining a foothold on social media. Since we wanted to tell Handy’s story through people, professional photography and video production were the obvious mediums. We chose to combine both services since Handy’s mission is so expansive.

 

One of the challenges we faced was piecing all of these segments into a cohesive narrative. Not one aspect of Handy stands apart from the rest. The organization serves youth ages 9 to 25 years old, staffs many mentors and volunteers, hosts various community events and outreach programs, celebrates the arrival of Handy youth and the departure of Handy graduates, offers a range of programs, and much more. We had to pay tribute to all of these important areas as if they were a never-ending story. This was tough. In the end, we delivered.

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Handy Next Gen Field Day at Jaco Pastorious Park flyer
Closeup of teal markings being applied to girl's face
Group of people wearing teal colored bandanas, wristbands, necklaces and bows standing in a field posing for the camera
Closeup of a man applying marks to another man's face
Group of people with black bandanas and balloons posing for the camera in a field
African American man holding a pink bandana over his head surrounded by people
Handy Nonprofit Group of people with pink bandanas, necklaces and gloves posing for the camera in a field
Closeup from behind of two people holding each other in a field was other people standing nearby
Group of people with purple balloons. hats, leis and wristbands posing for the camera in a field
Stats relating to grade promotion.

from youth

African American holding a black and white poster that shows three people with the word Embrace
Group of two African American girls posing for the camera sitting on a picnic table with some kids behind them
African American holding a black and white poster that shows two people with the word Educate
Group of kids playing a ball sport
Marketing for nonprofit organizations Handy Nonprofit African American holding a black and white poster with two people with the word Empower
Group of kids playing a ball sport
African American holding a black and white poster that shows three people with the word Embrace
Group of four boys playing a ball sport
African American holding a black and white poster that shows three people with the word Embrace
Group of African American males playing basketball with others looking on
African American holding a black and white poster that shows two people with the word Empower
African American girl running with another girl and boy standing by

to young adults

Group of two female graduates and one male graduate tossing their hats in the air
Group of two female graduates and one male graduate posing for the camera
Closeup of group of two male and one female graduates posing for the camera
Group of two male and one female graduates walking with two women holding books and one male wearing a pink shirt and tie holding a book
Closeup from behind of group of two male and two female graduates walking with two women holding books and one male wearing a pink shirt
Closeup of group of two male and one female graduates walking with two women holding books and one male wearing a pink shirt and tie holding a book
Group of two male and one female graduates talking to each other by a picnic table
Group of two male and one female graduates by a picnic table posing for the camera
Group of two male and one female graduates talking to each other by a picnic table
Stat concerning risky behavior

Community Coverage

Event coverage is a huge deal to a nonprofit organization as active as Handy. It generates a ton of leads, acknowledges donors for their philanthropy and informs their community of their progress and future initiatives. Not only did we help lead the charge in creating events and raising awareness, but we were also present at every Handy celebration to ensure proper media coverage was recorded. This was essential in Handy’s outreach initiatives and was an integral piece to their social media campaign, email marketing initiatives, and more.

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Closeup of Handy boxes with vase of flowers near it on a white tableclothed table
Closeup of Handy box with pens near it as well as desserts and people around the table
Handy box with desserts, drinks, cups and silverware around a teal tableclothed table
Closeup of Handy box with pens near it as well as desserts around a teal tableclothed table
Group of people at tables at a function with balloons in the air
Police officers speaking at a podium with balloons in the background
Group of five men and three women most of them holding awards posing for the camera
Handy Inc Donation check being held by two people surrounded by police officers
Closeup of two Handy Kids Choice Awards on a table
Group of people at a function
Man at the podium talking to a group of people at a function
Three men holding awards looking off stage
Police officer and man helping an elderly woman on the stage
Police officer gesturing elderly woman to go ahead while man stands nearby
Three men and an elderly woman all holding awards posing for the camera
Stat concerning increase in life skills.

Social Media

A nonprofit’s ability to actively engage their community of donors, recipients, and volunteers regularly is essential. So, we invested a lot of effort in increasing Handy’s social media presence. Our approach was to keep the content organic and our presence user-driven, which ultimately made the content more emotive and personal, thus allowing the Handy community to interact on more profound levels. Our outreach focused on Handy youth, the programs they were involved with, the volunteers and mentors who make it all possible and the donors who support their organization every step of the way. One of the more notable portions of our social media strategy was the unveiling of Handy’s new logo that we designed. This post drew a lot of traffic and engagement, marking a turning point in their overall online image. This wave of publicity allowed us to reach new donors and fully embed Handy as a pillar in the community.

 

Before we developed our social media strategy (as we do with all clients) we focus the beginning stages around social listening. This informs our marketing and content strategy team who is already interacting with Handy, who isn’t, and who can be converted into an active follower. Knowing our demographic not only reveals our starting point but also informs of our overall potential, which was profound (and something we delivered on quickly). The research revealed that Handy’s overall mission is not well known. We fought to change that. Throughout our social media strategy, we incorporated graphic elements to inform our community of Handy’s impact on youth in Broward County. Situated alongside informative content were graphics for holidays to remain relevant month after month.

Young Professionals Graphic Pie Charts
Young Professionals Pie Graph Charts
Young Professionals Pie and Bar Graph Charts
Young Professionals Bar Graph Charts
Market Research Graph Pie Charts
Market Research Graph Pie Charts
Market Research Graph Pie Charts
Market Research Graph Pie Charts
Group of young adults playing a sport in a field
Group of young adults in front of a pavilion
Overhead view of a student pointing to an island definition entry in a book
Group of two men and a woman smiling and posing for the camera in a pavilion
Side profile of person carrying books
Little boy posing for camera in a pavilion
Side profile of African American young woman using a computer with other people in background also using computers
African American young adult wearing bermuda shorts and t shirt with money graphics on it posing for the camera with a basketball in a pavilion
Group of young adult males playing football with one poised to throw the ball
Young adults with two police officers posing in front of Handy Lillian S. Wells Center sign with some holing police logo bags and water bottle
Group of African American young adults enjoying lunch in the cafeteria
Teacher showing how to play a game of chess to a class of young adults sitting at their desks
African American man wearing a white t shirt holding a toddler on his shoulder who is drinking from a sippy cup posing for the camera from inside a pavilion
Group of young adults sitting at a table with more young adults at tables in the background
Three African American young men and one young woman posing for the camera making fun gestures
Group of young adults in a classroom sitting at their desks with a student in the background wearing a green shirt sitting at a larger desk
Group of young adults in a classroom at their desks
Group of young adults in a classroom with one African American student wearing a blue shirt posing for the camera holding a pencil on a piece of paper
Handy Independance Day Flag Graphic
Handy Social Quotes Aug Stat
Handy Oct Social Text Graphic
Handy Oct Social Text Graphic
Handy Oct Social Text Mission Graphic
Multicolored Handy LGBTQ Pride Month logo
Handy Jimmy Dean Quote with logo
Handy Labor Day Post with graphic of grill
Handy Quotes June 4

The Results

We worked with Handy for a number of years. In that time, we completely revamped their brand, which helped expand their organization’s influence to more households and deserving children throughout Broward County. With our help, Handy was recognized nationally for their outstanding philanthropy and activism. The work they do is crucial for the youth and the future of Broward County. Their impact is now greater than it has ever been before. We look forward to seeing what Handy does for our community in the future.

 

In the realm of social media, we grew Handy’s presence exponentially. Their Facebook audience was bleak and unengaged. They were missing out on pivotal interactions that would further their mission. They also only had 200 followers on Instagram. There was room for growth in both areas. We capitalized on the opportunity. [The following reports are from December 2017. They do no show the full scope of growth on social media. However, they show that month-over-month we increased engagement and followership in accordance with the outlines social media strategy.]

 

If you’d like to see what we can do to help elevate your nonprofit organization or philanthropic brand, we recommend reading the Integrated Marketing Communications plan we invented and executed for Handy. We’d be happy to do the same for you.

December Instagram Activity Overview Profiles Dec 2017
December Instagram Engagement Profiles Dec 2017
December Facebook Activity Overview Pages Dec 2017
December Facebook Audience Demographics Pages Dec 2017

2016 Fundraising Calendar

Color United Way Logo

United Way Broward 2016
Fundraising Calendar

United Way Broward commissioned the graphic design of a calendar they wanted to use for fundraising purposes. Inspired in watercolor, the project used digital and practical mediums to achieve its mixed media aesthetic.

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Working with United Way has always been a pleasure for us. The strides they continue to make within our community is palpable. They strive to take on community issues head on by partnering up with schools, government agencies, businesses, organized labor, financial institutions, community development corporations, neighborhood associations, and the faith communities.

 

United Way has changed our community immeasurably for the better and we want to continue to help that movement prosper in any way we can.

United Way Calendar January
United Way February calendar with Love United graphic with hearts.
United Way March calendar with calculator graphic.
United Way April calendar with Volunteer graphic.
United Way Calendar May with graphics of fruit.
United Way Calendar June with graphic of Hello Summer with boy celebrating.
United Way Calendar July with graphics of fireworks over a lake.
United Way Calendar August with graphics of books.
United Way Calendar September with graphic of alligator with mouth open showing teeth.
United Way Calendar October with graphics of Halloween candy and bag.
United Way Calendar November with graphic of military soldiers raising flag.
United Way Calendar December with graphics of candle with United Way logo within.
United Way CIS 3
United Way CIS 17
United Way CIS 20
United Way CIS 23
United Way CIS 26
United Way CIS 32
United Way CIS 33
United Way CIS 56
United Way CIS 86
United Way CIS 111
United Way CIS 152
United Way CIS 187
United Way CIS 228
United Way CIS 269
United Way CIS 272

Fraternal order of Police

Yellow and blue FOP logo
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The Journey of Fraternal order of Police

Our goal with this project was to deliver an informative video, raise awareness, and build donations for the mission of the Fraternity Order of Police. We needed the video to evoke a sense of empathy from the viewer; seeing these officers act in such a selfless manner—to prompt the viewer to want to get involved and, hopefully, donate.

 

Capturing the gratitude and goodwill between the community members and their law enforcement officers was a great exercise in documentary-style video production techniques, involving on-your-feet improvisation and expert skill.

The Purpose

We were thrilled that this project came about during the time of the Turkey Drive, an annual initiative begun by the Fraternal Order of Police, in partnership with the Fort Lauderdale Black Police Officers Association, of delivering meals to underserved communities and families in need.

 

On the ground, our film crew worked its magic in capturing the event live while it happened. The action, the emotion, all candid and organic on film. Our RED camera systems following the boxed meals being passed from officer to officer in what is described by one as a “human chain,” serving a community reliant on these officers’ efforts as a means to feed their families for Thanksgiving.

 

Because it was a charitable organization, begun with the incentive of promoting community engagement, we emphasized showcasing the reactions of the community members themselves. We trained our lenses upon those live moments, during the distribution of Thanksgiving meals, to capture the pleasure, the gratitude on the faces of the community members, to immortalize the emotion of that day.

Boy waving holding a frozen turkey while a male police officer wearing a mask and light blue shirt in the background looks on.

Stills In Motion

The stills we lifted from this video proved just as emotive as the video itself, thanks to the cinematic quality of our 8k camera systems. In the end, it was a film for which we, and the Fraternal Order of Police, felt incredible pride.

Fraternal Order of Police Turkey Drive CIS 3
Fraternal Order of Police Turkey Drive CIS 2
Fraternal Order of Police Turkey Drive CIS 1
Police officer handing man a turkey
Group of police officers
Cam K Fraternarl order of police 2 1.10
Cam K Fraternarl order of police 4 1.20
Cam K Fraternarl order of police 18 3.21
Cam K Fraternarl order of police 11 3.11.1 scaled
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Cam K Fraternarl order of police 14 3.16.1 scaled
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